Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, has defended the government’s response to the deadly earthquakes that struck the country on June 24, resulting in over 3,000 fatalities and widespread destruction. Speaking during a ceremony commemorating Venezuela’s independence day, Rodríguez emphasized the authorities’ efforts and dismissed concerns about potential social unrest.

The twin earthquakes have claimed at least 3,342 lives, according to the latest figures released by Venezuela’s information ministry, with more than 16,700 people reported injured. The disasters caused extensive damage, particularly in the coastal La Guaira region north of the capital, Caracas, where numerous buildings collapsed, leaving thousands homeless.

Rodríguez highlighted the deployment of thousands of public officials and rescue workers engaged in search and recovery operations, underscoring the government’s commitment to locating survivors and providing aid. She stated that the nation was demonstrating "deep social solidarity" rather than descending into disorder amid the crisis.

Despite these reassurances, there has been significant public criticism regarding the government's handling of the emergency in the initial hours following the earthquakes. Many Venezuelans have voiced frustration over what they perceive as a delayed and insufficient response before the arrival of international assistance teams.

The twin earthquakes represent one of the deadliest natural disasters in recent Venezuelan history, exacerbating existing challenges in the country’s emergency response infrastructure. Authorities continue to coordinate rescue and relief efforts as the death toll and number of injured are expected to rise with ongoing operations.